The printing of passports for British Overseas Territories Citizens is soon to switch over to Britain, in a move that the Progressive Labour Party warned could lead to delays in processing.

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Minister of Home Affairs, said the move, which was mandated by the UK, would take effect on June 29, meaning BOTC passports could take up to four weeks to process.

While the minister said the shift meant that BOT citizens would receive the most up-to-date biometric passports available, it was unwelcome news for the Opposition.

Walter Roban, the Shadow Minister of National Security, said the PLP had “never been happy” with the switch, announced a year ago.

“We in the Overseas Territories are effectively losing autonomy that we have had for decades for our citizens,” Mr Roban said.

The Opposition also had concerns over “well-publicised backlogs” that have troubled the UK services in the past.

The application process will not change, and passport applications can be found with a list of fees on the government website. The minister added that Bermuda’s office would retain a stock of passports to be printed on compassionate grounds, or for urgent government business.